This is from Doug Hanahan - the author of "J. Mol. Biol. 166(4): 557-580", where
SOB was first described. SOB = super-optimal broth SOC = SOB with the B
changed to C for "catabolite repression", indicative of the presence of glucose.
The original reference for the explanation of the SOB/SOC name is
D Hanahan <http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10626&hl> on 11.09.05.